Same-sex marriage issue back in court in Kentucky as local official seek religious exemption

ASHLAND, Ky. – A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments about a county clerk who is refusing to issue marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is one of a handful of local officials across the country who have refused to comply with the court's order. Davis and others say it violates their religious beliefs. The stance has prompted a debate about whether religious liberty extends to those officials, who are charged with carrying out state government functions.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued Davis on behalf of two gay couples and two straight couples who were denied licenses.

U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning, son of former Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, is scheduled to hear arguments at noon Monday.